Archive for January 24th, 2013

Amazon appears to be working deals right now for several pilots to turn into series for its streaming video service, but there is apparently one series they are talking about going straight to series – Zombieland, which was a movie in 2009.

What is interesting is that it was originally envisioned as a TV series as early as 2005, developed for CBS. CBS passed on it as did Syfy, so it was redeveloped into a movie starring Woody Harrelson, Jesse “I’m not Zuckerberg” Eisenberg, Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin and is known for providing all the rules you need for surviving the Zombie Apocalypse (remember, Double Tap!) Most recently, Fox was interested in it as a half-hour comedy.

Sony Picture TV is the studio, and original writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick are on board to write and co-executive produce, and original producer Gavin Polone would executive produce.

“To be a part of the next chapter of the Star Wars saga, to collaborate with Kathy Kennedy and this remarkable group of people, is an absolute honor,” J.J. Abrams said. “I may be even more grateful to George Lucas now than I was as a kid.”

“I’ve consistently been impressed with J.J. as a filmmaker and storyteller,” Goerge Lucas said. “He’s an ideal choice to direct the new Star Wars film and the legacy couldn’t be in better hands.”

Previously: An official press release has not come out yet, but pretty much every news outlet is reporting that it is pretty much a “done deal” that J.J. Abrams, currently in charge of Paramount’s rebooted Star Trek movie franchise, will direct at least one episode of the Disney-revived Star Wars franchise. J.J. has reportedly signed (or is about to) to direct Episode VII, the first movie up and currently being written by Michael Arndt.

I’m surprised that either side would have wanted one person delving into both of the top science fiction saga franchises there are, but still I like the idea. Not as much as a “Joss Whedon is my master now” Episode VII, mind you…but Disney is planning plenty more.

Update: Roberto Orci appears to confirm the story on Twitter:

“@naddycat: @boborci Any chance you can confirm/deny about Mr Abrams directing Star Wars? So far just a lot of “sources say”…” True!

There are some questions as to what this means for the Star Trek franchise, especially since Paramount has historically not liked to share their talent. It remains to be seen, but Star Trek: Into Darkness might be the last one that involves Abrams.